GE to build integrated CCGT, wind, solar power plant in Turkey

GE is to build what it claims to be the world's first integrated combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant with wind and solar power in Turkey.

The US giant said its latest FlexEfficiency CCGT technology has been selected by MetCap Energy Investments, a Turkish project developer. The FlexEfficiency 50 plant will integrate a 50 Hz 9FB Gas Turbine, a steam turbine, a generator, 22 MW of GE wind turbines and 50 MW of eSolar concentrated solar thermal tower technology.

The power plant will be located in Karaman, Turkey, and will be rated at 530 MW at site conditions. It is scheduled to enter commercial operation in 2015. The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services will be provided by Gama Power Systems Engineering and Contracting, Inc.

Announcing the project at POWER-GEN Europe in Milan, Paul Browning, president and CEO—thermal products for GE Energy, said: "At MetCap’s site conditions, we will achieve 69 per cent plant efficiency, and this technology provides the capability to deliver efficiency greater than 70 per cent at Gas Turbine World conditions."

Dr. Celal Metin, chairman of MetCap Energy Investments, said: “In addition to record-setting fuel efficiency, this power plant will have zero liquid discharge, low emissions and a rapid-response, 28-minute start capability. It accomplishes this using an integrated controls system that provides single-button start for all of the elements of the integrated renewable combined-cycle (IRCC) power plant. We think this represents the future of power generation.”

On June 6, GE announced an investment and licensing agreement with eSolar, a provider of next-generation concentrated solar thermal tower technology. Under the agreement, GE will license and incorporate eSolar technology and software into its IRCC and standalone solar thermal power plants.